In its quest for improved fuel economy, Ford has adopted a strategy of replacing its aging transmission designs with more efficient ones. The Blue Oval confirmed today that it would double the number of models equipped with its more fuel-efficient six-speed automatic transmission by the end of next year. By 2012, Ford expects 98% of its North American line-up will have the new gearbox, Reuters reports.
Ford has stated the six-speed auto offer 4 to 6% better fuel economy than the older four- and five-speed automatics. The new gearbox, dubbed 6F35, will debut in the 2009-model Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner (pictured) crossovers and will also appear in several Mazda models.
Beyond the new automatics, Ford will also add its dual-clutch Powershift transmission to a number of North American models with the first cars to be equipped with the fuel-saving gearbox due next year. Powershift has already shown to improve fuel-economy by 10% in the European Focus range and similar savings are expected for American models.
Reader Comments
Wed May 7 2008 1:34 PM
chris says
dump it in the fusion and the focus. the focus especially. I wouldn't be driving a focus today if i drove automatic. Drove an 08 auto focus and it reminded me what i hated about autos. long shift times, some rough shifts, specially under hard acceleration,... you name it.
the current 6 speed in the fusion (only available on the V6) is a really good unit, but then again it's made by a company that is owned by toyota. I'd like to see how much this new unit improves on the current one.
Wed May 7 2008 4:47 PM
C6R says
If they would anounce using the PowerShift overall then it would be a big step forward. What they are saying is just another slush-box...
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